Colorado mom who fatally abused child, faked illness for Make-a-Wish gifts, gets 16 years in prison

A Colorado mother who fatally abused her 7-year-old daughter and lied about her health to get handouts from charities worth at least $100,000 was sentenced to 16 years in prison as part of a plea deal that threw out murder charges.

Judge Patricia Herron issued the sentence Wednesday after Kelly Turner pled guilty last month to child abuse resulting in the 2017 death of the girl, Olivia Gant, and to charitable fraud and theft.

Previous charges of first-degree murder, attempt to influence a public servant and forgery were dropped as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

Turner said nothing during her virtual sentencing hearing but wiped away tears as prosecutors played a video made by Olivia’s grandfather Lonnie Gautreau of Olivia laughing and smiling, baking a cake, dancing in a princess costume, playing doctor with her dolls and singing songs.

“This truth about Olivia has caused such a deep pain that it continues to ravage me every day,” said a statement from Gautreau that was read at the hearing by a prosecutor. Gautreau attended the hearing by video with a picture of his granddaughter at his side, his eyes tearing up during the proceedings.

Authorities have said Turner lied to doctors about Olivia’s medical history while broadcasting her struggles to receive money and other favors from organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The girl had received unnecessary surgeries and medications up until her death in Denver hospice care in 2017.

That summer, Olivia cheerfully sang Hakuna Matata from “The Lion King” as she was wheeled into hospice care in Denver wearing purple pajamas. “It means no worries for the rest of your days,” she sang while her mother filmed. The girl died less than a month later.

The video put out by Turner was one of many clips highlighting the little girl’s battle with disease and death, which authorities said was used by her mother to dupe doctors and call for favors and donations to help ease her daughter’s pain.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/colorado-mom-fatally-abused-child-faked-illness-make-wish-gifts-gets-1-rcna15674
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16 years? Not nearly enough. She should be put away for LIFE. She's lucky though that the child didn't live long enough to grow up and become Gypsy Rose Blanchard